How To Clean Anything

Here is a question from Mary:

I need your help on this i had placed a candle on one of my stereo speakers and when I picked it up candlewax dripped all over my cloth speaker I have try to scrap it but it still has residue of candlewax on it. Please I would like to know how I can remove this without ruining my speaker. ?

This could be tough however if this doesn’t work for you, speaker cloth is not expensive and can be purchased at better electronics stores if you have to replace it.

The usual tip for candle wax removal is a cleaning towel and a low to medium warm iron, the wax warms up and wicks into the towel. For this particular situation, I would recommend using a kitchen paper towel. Usually with a towel you have to press down on the wax, you will have to be very gentle and will not be able to push down very hard. If you use a paper towel you make not have to push very hard to have the desired effect of the wax wicking onto the paper towel.

You may want to have some help you give some stability to the speaker and or speaker cloth. Remember you are using an iron and only use low to medium heat, be careful not to burn your own or your helpers fingers. So long as you keep the settings low you should be fine.

To clean your cast iron frying pan simply put in your self cleaning oven during the cleaning cycle.

General Information :
Automatic drip coffee makers will accumulate hard water deposits along the lines and in it’s tank.

Tools & Technique :
Every month or so, brew a solution of vinegar and water to remove the deposits.

Also clean the filter, baskets and carafe after every use. Most can be placed in the dishwasher, never use abrasives on your coffee makers surface or the heating element. If you do not have a dishwasher use dish soap and water just like washing normal dishes. Residue and bitter oils on these surfaces will affect the taste of the coffee.

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the pot and fill will to the 10 cup level (1:4 vinegar to water). Pour the solution into the reservoir place a fresh paper filter or your multiple use filter in the basket and brew about 50% of the solution stop the brewing process for several minutes to loosen everything and continue to brew.

If you have heavy build up or have not cleaned the coffee maker in a long time pour the solution back into the reservoir and brew it again. Be sure to brew a cycle with just water to rinse it completely. And your next brew of coffee will taste like a fresh cup of Starbucks coffee.

There are also off the shelf products like CLR and lime away which will remove extremely stubborn stains.

Here is an interesting tip submitted by Sue;

If you find you just cannot get rid of cooking smells in the house, try this remedy:

You need a little lemon juice and 6 cloves. Put into a saucepan, add a mug of warm water. Place on a low heat and let the fresh smell saturate the air. Just remember to keep an eye on the pan so it doesn’t boil dry. Best thing is, you can use the liquid 4 times before you need to throw it away.

General Info:
Here are a few of home remedies for cleaning your copper pans.

Tools & Chemicals:
Salt, lemon, scrubber or flour & white vinegar.

Technique:

• To clean the bottom of copper bottomed pots and pans cover a freshly cut lemon with salt and scrub.
• Mix equal parts of flour, and salt with enough white vinegar to make a paste. Let mixture stand on the copper, then rinse.
• To polish use Catsup/ketchup. Be generous, scrub with a metal scrubbing pad, allow to sit for a few minutes, rinse and polish with a clean, dry cloth.

This question was submitted from Linda K.

“How do I clean soot from my countertop? ”

Soot is a substance made out of carbon and oil. Smoke, on the other hand, is an entirely different substance which is the heat-driven result of combustion. For smoke damage a different cleaning process is employed. (See our data-base under Smoke.) For soot try these techniques :
First, get rid of as much soot as possible by vacuuming .

Next, use a heavy duty degreaser and water. Mix it strong (check the label), and let it soak for 10-15 min. Try a soft brush to agitate and rinse.
Also, you can use soot-sponges which are available at janitorial supply stores. Ask for detailed directions.

As a last resort, if the soot stain persists, spray a small amount of oven cleaner onto a cloth and then rub the the affected surface. Wipe off with a clean, damp cloth. Test your countertop in an inconspicuous area-it could easily damage the surface.

Do you have any suggestions as to how to get superglue off formica?

Super glue didn’t get the name “super” for no reason.

It is tough to get superglue off of anything, however if the formica, or laminate is a non-textured (ie smooth) finish, you actually have a good shot.

Acetone can help break down superglue. It has been the most common ingredient in fingernail polish remover, however more and more companies are using alternate, less aggressive chemicals. You will find small containers available at your local home center. This should not damage the counter, and it should break the bond between the counter and the glue.

Before making that trip, get a safety razor. Even a utility knife blade, wrapper with tape on one edge for safety, will suffice. Add water to the area, along with a few drops of dish soap. Mix the soap all over so the surface is very slippery.

Hold the taped side of the utility blade (or the metal edge on the safety straight blade) and run the blade across the counter at a very narrow angle. The blade should be almost parallel to the counter. This will not scratch a smooth counter top. Run the blade with some force into the glue spot. If you can catch an edge, it is usually enough to flick the entire blob of glue off the counter.

If residue remains, try cleaning with the nail polish or acetone.

Always take appropriate safety precautions when using chemicals and sharp blades.

General Information :
Since a dish drainer is made to hold clean dishes, it is essential to keep it clean and sanitary.

Tools & Technique :
Clean a dish drainer regularly in warm water and mild detergent. Do not use your dishwater for this; an unsanitary dish drain will dirty the water. Every few weeks, soak the dish drain in a solution of warm water and bleach (1-2oz.) This will sanitize the dish drain. Rinse afterwards with clean water and let dry.

General Information :
Modern dishwashers require little care to operate efficiently. An inherently clean environment, dishwashers need only a few basic maintenance procedures

Tools & Technique :
-Always garberate before operating or food particles can drain into the unit.
-Occasionally check the dishwasher drain for obstructions.
-Check that the float valve or switch is working properly. This prevents overfilling.
-Keep the door gasket clean to prevent leaks and premature ware.
-Dust and clean under the unit – some times the bottom cover plate will need to be removed.
-Keep the outside clean. On plastic, metal or wood surfaces use an appropriate cleaning solution  mild detergent and water is recommended.

Its Christmas time to break out the Silver!
Using Science to clean your Silver…

How to clean Silver utensils etc. Using a sheet of aluminum foil, hot water, baking soda, table salt and a pan to do this in.

Place a sheet of Aluminum foil on the bottom of any baking pan. Put your tarnished silver on the sheet. The silver must be touching the aluminum sheet.

Heat some water (in a kettle or sause pot) enough to pour into the pan, covering the silver. Add a small amount of salt.
Add a cup or two of fresh baking soda to the hot water (add baking soda before it gets to hot or your solution will bubble over) and salt solution.

Once dissolved and quite hot, pour this over the item making sure contact is maintained between the item and the Aluminum foil.

Watch the tarnish disappear, this process is sure to impress small children or anyone who did not pass middle school science.

Remove when water is cooler and polish dry. It works well and is far less time consuming and expensive than using a silver or metal polish.

Check out the website of scientist B. Shakhashiri for a scientific explanation of the process. Or just go with what works like I do and not worry abut the reasons why.